Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

As you know, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are anything but dull… and almost always sometimes the ladies are downright catty, crazy and dramalicious. The latest episode was no different, as the women participated in The Dinner Party From Hell 2.0.

In an effort to explain the insane events of that evening, Kyle Richards took to her personal blog to discuss her take on frenemy Brandi Glanville’s belly dancing girls’ night, where the wine flowed like… well, wine. And if we’ve learned anything this season, it’s that where there’s wine, there’s Kyle doing splits a Taylor Armstrong meltdown of epic proportions.

Kyle begins, “Brandi had invited us all out to her friends house for a ‘wine tasting’ with belly dancing lessons… When we arrived, the girls were already tipsy and having fun. Brandi made a comment about my husband being ‘super hot’ and said how much he loves me. I said in my interview ‘easy on the hot husband talk’. Then I hissed like a cat. That is my sense of humor. I was not offended in ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM by Brandi’s comment. I honestly found it to be a compliment and took it as such.” Seriously? If I had a dollar for every time Kyle used her “sense of humor” as her excuse for tacky behavior, maybe I’d have enough money to move to Beverly Hills… or at least buy a pair of Adrienne’s shoes.

“Brandi’s friend started giving us belly dancing lessons,” Kyle continues. “I felt SO AWKWARD doing belly dancing which did NOT come naturally to me . I am known for joking around and acting ‘goofy’ so I decided to do some of my ridiculous ‘dance’ moves to make my friends laugh. It’s a running joke amongst my friends and me. Years ago it was ballet moves (never taken ballet in my life) then it was yoga and now I have settled on the splits. Who knows what’s next?!” Perhaps the Dougie? Again, Kyle cites her joking personality as a reason to be disrespectful to the belly dancing teacher. I’m not even trying to come down on Kyle because she’s Kyle… it’s like that cringe-worthy feeling I get when people talk over a public speaker — it’s just plain rude.

When addressing her nipplicious snarks about braless Brandi, Kyle admits, “Yes, I made some comments about Brandi’s nipple’s showing through her dress. How can I not? They were right in my face. I think that if you wear a dress that you can see your breasts through, you must want them noticed. I personally wouldn’t do that, but I get that Brandi is more of a free spirit. That doesn’t mean I can’t tease about it .” Dear Diary, aren’t my comments cute? I’m not mean, I’m just funny.

However, Kyle does treat Taylor’s behavior with the kind of gravity it deserves and I give her credit for the fierce loyalty she showed on Monday’s episode. She describes the downward spiral, saying, “The night suddenly shifted from being silly and having fun to a complete nightmare. Taylor could not let go of the resentment toward Camille. Taylor was afraid that if Russell found out she had told all of us what had gone on in their marriage, and that it was repeated in FRONT of the cameras, he would lose it.” An understandable assumption, but it is also odd to me coming from someone whose job is to have their life recorded for a television show while sharing intimate details of her relationship with several friends. But I digress…

Kyle continues, “[Taylor] was scared. Too much alcohol played a big factor in this evening as well. Dedra came to Camille’s defense , as a best friend should. Dedra is a great girl and this evening was very out of character for her. Emotions were running high. I’m convinced there was a full moon that night. I was in shock watching all of this I felt like I was witnessing a nervous breakdown. It was a nightmare.”

Of that oh so hard to watch limo ride home, Kyle reveals, “I was overwhelmed with sadness for Taylor. There was so much we knew, but even more we didn’t.” Continuing, Kyle advises, “In watching this, you may think, Taylor is crazy, a trouble maker, a phony, whatever it is you may be thinking. However, please remember, you have never met Taylor. She really is a kind person. She may have her issues, but she never wanted to hurt anyone. Walk a mile in her shoes before passing judgment….” Kyle makes a very valid point. Gracious, I am all over the board with my thoughts on these women!

In other news, Taylor’s nemesis of late Camille Grammer was recently called out for sporting a 10 karat diamond ring given to her by ex-husband Kelsey Grammer in a recent photo shoot. According to American Superstar, Camille was only wearing the ring for the photo shoot… it’s not something she wears every day.

Camille explains, “I did a photo shoot for Life & Style magazine and they had asked me to bring my bling. That ring is bling, along with other gifts that I have gotten from my ex over 14 years. I had acquired a lot of rings in my relationship. So whenever anyone asks me to bring my bling, that comes along with it.” She states simply, “I only wore the ring for the photo shoot.” And why shouldn’t she be able to enjoy the gifts she acquired during her marriage?

For those who thought the ring may be a silent statement that she still has feelings for her ex, Camille assures that she is no longer in love with Kelsey, quipping, “It’s easy to fall out of love with someone when they are putting you through such hell.”

So, while the photo shoot bling is still somewhat in rotation, there are two rings that Camille will never be seen wearing again: her wedding band and engagement ring. Of those reminders of her marriage, she admits, “I have my wedding ring and engagement ring in a safe. I plan on giving them to my daughter.” Camille adds, “I don’t wear them anymore and I don’t want to hock them. That is so vulgar and cheap.”

Of course, Kelsey isn’t the only man to put a ring on Camille’s finger. She reveals the got quite a statement piece from new beau Dimitri Charalambopoulos. Camille remembers, “The first night I met Dimitri we were in Vegas and he gave me a giant flashing light ring. She continues, “It was like a silly engagement ring that looked like it was 40 karats with a flashing light. It was adorable.”

Knowing what she knows now, Camille believes that jewelry is no substitute for a healthy relationship. “A 10 karat diamond ring cannot hug you back and give you love,” the reality star muses. Amen to that!

[Photo Credit: WENN]

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON KYLE’S BLOG? ARE YOU BUYING HER EXPLANATIONS? SHOULD CAMILLE HAVE WORN THAT RING IN HER PHOTO SHOOT?

The housewives ate and drank until late into the night at Kyle’s multi-million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills and posed for some fun holiday season pictures. About 200 people were said to be in attendance. More photos from the event below!

A source tells the Hollywood Life blog that Taylor’s costars think it’s “horrible” that she’s writing her book so soon after Russell’s passing.

“When Taylor announced she was going to write a book about her supposed abusive relationship with her husband everyone thought it was just disgusting,” says the source. “It’s just too soon and the cast just thinks this speaks volumes about who Taylor is at heart.”

As for Taylor, she has stated in the past that she is writing the memoir, titled Hiding from Reality: My Story of Love, Loss and Finding the Courage Within, to help other women in abusive relationships. In fact, in a statement given to ABC news today, Taylor states the only reason she’s releasing her book now is because Russell is no longer here, citing she would have been too scared to do so if he was still alive.

“I wish I could have ben able to tell my story before now… But, until my husband Russell’s suicide, I didn’t feel safe to bring my story into the light, to help all battered and abused women, and men, and aid them in their struggle,” says Taylor.

Taylor continues, “I discussed my book Monday night for the first time on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live. The overwhelming response from viewers and their outpourings of support has been gratifying. From the bottom of my heart, I believe if my book can help others find the courage to deal with the pain and fear of their abusive relationships, I will have made a real difference in their lives.”

“Kim has been to rehab more than once before,” says the source, “but every time is a new time, and everyone just hopes this sticks and that she gets the help she needs. It’s serious.”

The source who reveals Kim has been “erratic” also adds that she is no longer living with her boyfriend Ken Blumenfeld and that she was pretty much homeless before rehab.

“He’s not in the picture. No one really knows what the deal was with them, but Kim doesn’t live with Ken,” the source says. “She’s basically homeless, staying with various friends. She doesn’t have a home base. It’s not unusual for people to not hear from her for long stretches of time. It’s been that way for years.”

Kim’s family is, however, “relieved she’s getting help,” states the source. “She has lots of issues. She needs help.”

The Rumor Fix blog adds that Kim is at the Betty Ford Center near Palm Springs. She will reportedly be in the program for 30 days at a cost of $27,900. Could Bravo be footing the bill? After all, it was reported this week that the network forced Kim to get help.

Last night’s episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was just – sad, and it’s hard to know what to think. I was expecting a welcome break from the trauma (not to be confused with drama), but my hopes were dashed as the Taylor show came crashing into us harder than Malibu waves. Which reminds me, according to Bruce Jenner’s bespangled and fabulous ex-wife Linda Thompson, the ocean is going to be there long after all of us are gone, so I probably shouldn’t get too worked out about the problems of Housewives.

Anyway things started out on a truly lovely note with Wedding Planner to the Insane Kevin Lee organizing some tablescapes for Lisa and Pandora to choose from – well really Lisa, because after all it’s her wedding!

The ladies were excited, gracious and truly wowed, and after doing some finagling and maneuvering around they put their stamp of approval on the over-the-top fabudiculous arrangements (I made up a new word. Call me Teresa Giudice).

“After Russell Armstrong’s suicide Bravo is trying to making sure that nothing bad happens to the people on their shows,” a source said. “They don’t want any more tragedies on their hands.” The source, however, claims that Bravo was also concerned about Kim’s health. “The network people were worried about her and wanted her to try and fix her problems.”

“The pressures the women face being on the show are enormous. Kim was basically told that if she wanted to stay on the show then she had to get help, so she did,” continues the source. “Kim doesn’t have any other significant source of income and she needs to keep her job on the show.”

Star magazine first broke the news two weeks ago that Bravo was planning to give Kim an ultimatum to get help if she wanted to remain on the show.

In other RHOBH news, Taylor Armstrong has unveiled the cover (posted below) of her upcoming memoir — Hiding from Reality: My Story of Love, Loss and Finding the Courage Within.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Taylor tells us what we can expect from the book which is due out February 2012. “My book takes readers behind the glamour of Beverly Hills to show them the terrible violence I suffered, and the slow and painful process of rebuilding my shattered life,” Taylor states. “I want readers in abusive relationships to learn from my suffering and use my book to help them find their own courage within.”

During Taylor’s appearance on Watch What Happens Live, she offered words of support to her costar Kim. “I adore Kim and I stand behind her,” said Taylor to Andy Cohen. “And if there’s anything I can do to support her [I will]; but if she’s getting healthy what more could we ask.”

Meanwhile, Adrienne Maloof also offered her support to Kim. “I wish her well. It’s a step in the right direction,” said Adrienne to UsWeekly.

How is Kyle Richards handling the latest news? “Kyle is doing okay. Even though Kathy [Hilton] is not on the show, I know that they are close,” a source tells UsWeekly. “It must be very difficult for Kyle and Kathy and their families.”

[Photos Credit: WENN]

TELL US – DO YOU THINK BRAVO FORCED KIM INTO REHAB? WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF TAYLOR’S BOOK COVER?

Kim’s substance abuse issues first became public knowledge earlier this year after her sister Kyle Richards called her an alcoholic during a limo fight on the season one finale. It is, however, Kim’s behavior this season that had many fans wondering if she had fallen off the wagon.

While Kim, 47, blamed her behavior on anxiety pills last month, reports have claimed she has been drinking heavily again. Whatever the case, it’s good to see Kim finally getting help. Wishing her the best.

Oddly enough though, Star magazine reported last week that Bravo was planning to give Kim an ultimatum — go to rehab in or get kicked off the show next season. “She may have to go to rehab in order to save her job on the show,” a source toldStar two weeks ago. “People involved with the show are concerned and might have to step in … friends and family don’t talk about what’s going on with Kim.” Kim was also reportedly in rehab last year.

On the last episode of the show, Adrienne got upset with Lisa for hosting her daughter Pandora Vanderpump’s bachelorette party at Planet Hollywood instead of asking her to use her Palms Hotel so that she can get some free promotion on Bravo! Lisa’s defense was that the decision was Pandora’s plus she has known the owner of Planet Hollywood much longer than she has known Adrienne.

﻿In her latest Bravo blog, Adrienne first takes Lisa to task for what she calls “snide remarks” about her shoe line and strongly hints that Lisa might be jealous of her.

Adrienne wrote, “It was really disappointing to see Lisa’s snide remarks about all of it. It’s something that has not sat well with me. I get that people make sarcastic comments, or careless ones, but I really believe that you have to take care not to insult someone’s family or their business. Simply put? Not cool. You’d think women would encourage each other instead of getting catty.”

Adrienne continues, “I was taken aback by what I consider to be her classless comments on my new business and how she approached the bachelorette party. I truly felt that she was envious of what we’ve accomplished and maybe what they say is true – jealousy is the root of all evil. Regardless, I’m so proud of what we accomplished this year in creating this brand, and I have so many plans for expansion next year.”

And on her Twitter page, Adrienne wrote a series of tweets to Lisa about their drama: “Your intended humor came across sarcasm about something very important to me. Hopefully you can see why it came across as hurtful just as I now understand it was meant to be funny. Certainly you and I have much better things to do than continue on this subject! More than willing to chalk it up to lessons learned and move on!! I know you’ll agree there are far more significant things happening in the world to dwell on!!”

Moving on to tonight’s all new episode of the RHOBH titled ‘Malibu Beach Party from Hell.’ On the 14th episode (14 episodes already?) this season, Brandi Glanville hosts a beach party which turns out to be more dramatic and tense than anyone realized. Brandi’s beach bash in Malibu sinks when Taylor and Camille clash.

The episode airs tonight on Bravo (9/8c) and in the dramatic preview clip below, things get ugly when Taylor orders Camille to come outside for a confrontation and Camille’s employee friend DeDe gets involved!

Adrienne particularly took offense to the fact that Lisa didn’t ask her if she would host Pandora Vanderpump’s bachelorette party at her Palms hotel in Vegas so that she can get free promotion for her business on national television! Adrienne decided to confront Lisa during her event, and Lisa did not back down, making it clear the owner of Planet Hollywood was a family friend and that the decision to have the bachelorette party there was her daughter’s.

In her latest Bravo blog, Lisa fires back at Adrienne, hinting that Adrienne’s only concern was promoting her own hotel. Lisa also feels the whole argument was ridic stating she doesn’t question Adrienne whenever she chooses to dine at other restaurants in Beverly Hills.

Lisa wrote: “Apparently [Adrienne] was miffed that Pandora had decided to hold her bachelorette party at our old family friend Robert Earl’s venue, Planet Hollywood . Robert loves her and had no intention of promoting the hotel. I mean, how dare my daughter choose what she wants? She should be supporting her mother’s neighbor’s business! I seriously couldn’t understand this. It was the first I knew of her being upset. Jason had had his bachelor party a couple of weeks before, hosted by our friend, and Pandora was going to do the same. It was all arranged. I wasn’t going and hadn’t been involved in the arrangements.”

Lisa continued, “Somehow, to cut a long story short, I was roped into this trip, and obviously, now you, the viewer, will get to witness it, so everything changes. What was to be Pandora’s trip became a major production, and I was suddenly in trouble for it. I resent the fact that suddenly I am to blame, it is a huge deal to entertain 14 people, and I certainly would never dream of asking anybody to do that. Robert wanted to comp the whole weekend as his gift to Pandora, Why do I feel I have to constantly justify mine and my daughter’s actions?”

To close out her blog, Lisa hinted that perhaps Adrienne was just trying to create drama for the camera. “When Adrienne and Paul are having dinner at a neighboring restaurant, it wouldn’t even enter my mind to question them! It seems as if some people are looking for a problem. . . So there we have it. Once again a pleasant evening was marred by a really petty matter. I am losing patience with this constant need for altercations when we all have busy lives,” blogged Lisa.

Pandora also took to Twitter to defend her mom. Pandora tweeted, “Hello?Do I have a voice? Jason and I planned our own bachelor/bachelorette parties, not @LisaVanderpump #givemeabreak #loveplanethollywood.” Pandora later added: “An old friend offered to throw it at his casino PH and I have known him since I was 9!”

“Taylor’s deal is with Simon and Schuster and the book will be out in February 2012,” a source close to Taylor reveals. “It will be a memoir and the abuse she endured while married to Russell, as well as another abusive relationship she was in the past will all be detailed.”

The source adds, “Taylor is writing the book to put a face on women involved in domestic violence. She wants the public to know there are resources for battered women, and there is a way out.”

[Photos Credit: WENN]

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON LISA’S COMMENTS? DID ADRIENNE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE UPSET AT HER? PLUS THOUGHTS ON TAYLOR’S BOOK DEAL? WOULD YOU READ IT?

Last night’s episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was a shoe spectacular! And oh man was I jealous over Adrienne’s collection. Adrienne hosted a fashion show to showcase her new shoe line as well as raise money for a charity that’s close to her sole (see what I did there?). Lisa and Adrienne exchanged words and Taylor continued her crusade against Camille. All in all it was a pretty good episode that was light on Richards’ drama and Taylor-Traumas!

Things begin with Lisa rushing in the door and she’s late, late, late for a meeting with wedding planner to the insane Kevin Lee. Kevin has apparently convinced Lisa and Pandora to surrender their brains, because as the invitations are unveiled my heart sank when I saw the ridiculous Michael’s craft project gift box. Did I mention those boxes cost $150 a pop? I apparently missed my calling and shall be quitting RT to race to Beverly Hills and design chintzy wedding invites. At least it was a slightly better color combo. As Lisa and Pandora gush over the boxitations, Ken looks slightly confused about what the eff he just paid for.